Is Detroit, Michigan really “Motor City”? Okay, sure, the Detroit metro area is home to auto industry giants General Motors, Ford and Chrysler. But if you want to go to the city that’s really nearest and dearest to the hearts of America’s automobile and motorcycle enthusiasts, you have to go south approximately 1,000 miles––to the city of Daytona Beach, Florida.
Situated mid-way along Florida’s Atlantic coast, Daytona Beach has a love affair with the internal combustion engine that stretches all the way back to the early 20th Century. In 1902, the area’s smooth, hard-compacted sand beaches became a favorite spot for auto pioneers to test their latest inventions. For decades thereafter, the beach was the preferred site for car and motorcycle fanatics to compete for the land speed record.
During Prohibition, many Southern bootleggers heavily modified their cars so they could outrun local law enforcement. Even after Prohibition was lifted in 1933, the tradition of customizing––and racing––cars continued, and on March 8, 1936, the first-ever “stock car race” was held at the Daytona Beach Road Course. Young car enthusiast William “Bill” France, who moved his family from Washington, D.C. to Daytona Beach in 1935 to escape the Great Depression, immediately embraced the local car culture and began to formally organize area races. In 1959, France’s group formally became the North American Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) and the Daytona International Speedway opened to replace the old beach course. Daytona Beach is still NASCAR’s headquarters, its fan base and cultural influence now stretching nationwide.
Today, automobile and motorcycle racing events are held in Daytona Beach virtually year-round. Top events include:
- Rolex 24 at Daytona (January)
- Daytona 500 (February)
- Daytona Beach Bike Week (February/March)
- Coke Zero 400 (July)
- Biketoberfest (October)
- Turkey Run Car Show (November)
- Daytona Kartweek (December)
Are you a gearhead? Are you interested in learning about our motorcycle or marine system maintenance and repair? Then WyoTech - Daytona Beach may be your key to a new and more satisfying career. Get the education you need––and the hands-on training you’ll enjoy––in the heart of America’s real “Motor City.”
For information on WyoTech - Daytona Beach programs and financial aid (for those who qualify), please visit www.WyoTech.edu.
Former Co-host of Spike TV's "Xtreme 4X4"
"At WyoTech, I received the skill set necessary to take me as far as my imagination will lead me."
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